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The Top 16 Industrial Uses of Isopropyl Alcohol 70% (IPA 70 %)
Jun
12
2020
Isopropyl Alcohol 70% (IPA 70%)
Many industries sterilize surfaces with Isopropyl Alcohol 70%, which is a solution of Isopropanol or IPA and purified water. Perhaps most popular as a bactericide and virucide in the medical settings, 70% IPA also has utility in agriculture, animal husbandry, food preparation, histology, household cleaning, and more. Although isopropanol is much less toxic than methanol, it should still be handled with care, albeit it is less volatile when diluted with water. In this article we will examine the top commercial uses of 70% IPA.
Why 70% IPA and 30% Pure Water?
IPA’s ability to destroy bacteria is enhanced when 30% purified water is added. The two solvents are effective in killing bacteria and viruses. Pure IPA will evaporate quickly, but the addition of water dampens the rate, allowing the germs to be exposed to the alcohol for longer. The alcohol slips through the bilayer lipid membrane, while water coagulates cellular proteins, slaughtering the cells. Since water reduces the flash point of isopropyl alcohol, the resulting aqueous solution is safer regarding fire hazard and fume exposure. Studies show that solutions of IPA above 91% and below 50% have reduced bactericidal properties.
#1 Rubbing Alcohol
Although rubbing alcohol can be made from ethanol, it most frequently consists of 70% isopropyl alcohol. Bottles of this strength of IPA are found almost everywhere, including hospitals, workplaces, pharmacies and grocery stores. Since over-the-counter rubbing alcohol may contain perfumes or other ingredients, contaminant-free70% IPA might be purchased in bulk from a chemical distributor
#2 Alcohol Wipes
Another common product that contains Isopropyl Alcohol 70% (IPA 70) Wipes. Omnipresent in the first aid kits of clinics, offices, and factories, these handy disinfecting aids are also used for general cleaning applications including cleaning oil, grease, and certain types of stains. In industrial applications Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) Wipes remove solder paste, inks, and other contaminants and are well suited for touch-up cleaning of automatic printer stencils and cleaning of semi-automatic printer stencils during and at the end of production runs.
#3 Medical Settings
Given 70% IPA’s low cost and germ-killing abilities, it is frequently utilized in clinics and hospitals for sterilizing all kinds of surfaces from skin to cell phones to stethoscopes. Medical professionals might wipe, immerse, spray, or even sponge with this strength of isopropanol to disinfect, wash, and deodorize. This solution has even been used for muscle aches and to prevent post-operative nausea, although treatments should be approved by a physician, if recommended.
#4 Cleanroom
Sterile 70% IPA is suitable for cleanroom and controlled environments. Endotoxin-free and irradiated, this grade is available in spray bottles or wipes for edulcorating parts in aerospace, electronics, pharmaceutical, military, research, and optics labs or manufacturing facilities.
#5 Histology Labs
Isopropyl alcohol 70% with 30% pure water is regularly purposed for histology tissue preparation. This solvent system is an effective dehydrating agent and even may serve as a xylene-free clearing agent for fatty tissue preparation. Ridding the specimen of formalin salts, 70% IPA is often followed by higher concentrations before paraffin infiltration. #6 Animal Husbandry Veterinarians and caretakers of cattle, horses, sheep, or swine usually utilize 70% IPA as an antiseptic or rubefacient, or muscle rub.
#6 Cleansing Public Surfaces
70% Isopropanol can be used to disinfect countertops, cash registers, sponges, and cloths at places like hotels, restaurants, schools, and libraries. From hair salon workers who may use to remove hair spray residue from mirrors, to schoolteachers who sanitize hands and desks, IPA has utility nearly everywhere.
#7 De-Grime Industrial Parts
70% IPA is known to dissolve greasy or grimy residue from fittings, gaskets, or sample valves in car shops, breweries, food manufacturers, essential oils makers, and other industrial facilities.
#8 Hotels/homes
Both hotels and homemakers might employ 70% IPA liquid or wipes to lustrate chrome, floors, furniture, mirrors, and sinks. Because IPA dissolves many nonpolar substances, it can also dissolve ink stains, oils, natural resins and gums.
#9 Hand Sanitizers
Many hand disinfectants contain 70% IPA as the active ingredient. For easy application, the solution can be sprayed or squirted in liquid or gel form. Medical facilities oftentimes have automated dispensers to avoid contamination. Cleanroom quality hand sanitizers are also obtainable.
#10 Pesticide for Plant Caretakers
70% IPA is a relatively benign insecticide that is much less toxic than many other alternatives. Indoor tropical plants that show signs of mealybug, scale, spider mite, or whitefly attack can be carefully sprayed or wiped with the solvent. IPA is even known to remove ticks and can be applied to disinfect the skin afterwards.
#11 Agriculture
The agronomy industry might apply 70% IPA for a variety of purposes, particularly with propagation. Plants are affected by viruses and bacteria attack too, so shears and equipment needed for processing must be decontaminated. Sterile environments are required for sensitive cell tissue culture labs, so endotoxin-free cleanroom grade is essential for contamination control in these cleanroom settings.
#12 Cleaning Electronics
70% IPA wipes are particularly useful for unsmudging electronics. Since rubbing alcohol can contain other additives that might leave traces, pre-saturated wipes of higher purity are preferred for removing hydrocarbon residue and ionic contamination from screens, phones, printer stencils, and other contaminants.
#13 Swimmers
Swimmers of all sorts avoid swimmer’s ear, or otitis externa by drying their ear canals with 70% IPA.
#14 Optometry
Optometrists utilize 70% IPA for infection control and to antisepticise parts and glasses. Lens cleaning tissues are specially designed with for eyewear such as safety glasses and reading aids. One recommended procedure for a decontaminating tonometers includes 3% hydrogen peroxide and 70% IPA.
#15 Labs
From the chemistry lab to quality control test rooms in industrial facilities, general purpose 70% isopropanol depurates instruments, prisms, glassware, mirrors, and surfaces. The solvent system dissolves dirt, grime, and sticky chemical residue such as biopolymers, proteins, and resins. Chemists and operators are required to wipe down respirators with 70% IPA wipes each time they are donned to protect both equipment and users.
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Safety Although IPA is not as harmful to health as many sanitizers, solvents, and pesticides, it is flammable and should not be breathed or consumed. Contact with skin and eye should be avoided. If using in bulk, protective gloves, goggles, face shield, and ventilation are all measures to prevent exposure. Keep away from aluminum, heat, open flames. Store appropriately and out of reach of children.
In Summary, Isopropyl Alcohol 70% is one of the most commonly used disinfectants in the marketplace. It is used in Biopharma, medical and industrial applications.
For over 40 years, Lab Pro has been committed to providing isopropyl alcohol, in California. Come visit the biggest Lab Supply showroom in California, or contact us online or at 888-452-2776.
